CGIAR Appoints Dr. Lindiwe Majele Sibanda as System Board Chair

24 November 2022. Following the decision of Marco Ferroni to retire and step down from his position as CGIAR System Board Chair after five years of service on December 31, 2022, CGIAR announced that current Board member Lindiwe Majele Sibanda will succeed him in January 2023.

“I take great pleasure in announcing that Dr. Lindiwe Majele Sibanda will be CGIAR’s next System Board Chair. Throughout her distinguished career, Lindiwe has made substantial contributions to challenges facing global science for agriculture, food systems and the environment. She has a proven track record of harnessing partnerships in research and innovation to drive food systems transformation and foster sustainable food and nutrition security. In addition to formal training in governance and management of change processes, Lindiwe is trained as a multi-cultural dialogue moderator and has a strong track record working with diverse teams in international environments. Her appointment is made following a robust selection process and will ensure a seamless transition in the System Board’s leadership.” Dr. Marco Ferroni

“I am looking forward to taking up the role of Chair of CGIAR’s System Board, and keen to put my experience in science, agriculture, climate change and nutrition to work in advancing CGIAR’s mission – together with colleagues across the organization, and partners around the world – to deliver the science and innovations needed to tackle the many threats related to food, land and water and deliver a food-secure future. As well as applying a policy and institutional perspective, I have a direct, personal connection to agriculture – I’m a farmer as well as a scientist.”  Dr. Lindiwe Majele Sibanda.